Rose’s answer to “Dear Rose, I loved the poetry in "Bigger Than All the Night Sky" and your other books. What do you …” > Likes and Comments

I'm so glad Julie asked about poetry! What a beautiful response, Rose. I hope no one is reading the comments before they read the main text, because I want to highlight a line that has much bigger impact when it comes at the end: "
If, like me, you would like to cocreate poetry in a sacred process, then you ask God for that, and you only ask when you really want it or need it."

I love the honor and "rightness" of this.

Thanks so much for this gorgeous response, Rose. There is so much to savor here!

Jasmine Ariti, you understand. Thank you.

Julie, soon as I saw your question in my "Ask the Author" queue, I could wait to answer it. Your question was that important to me. Thanks again.

Thank you for asking this question Julie, and thank you Rose for such love in the response ~ and thank you again for highlighting process vs content.

Awe, Charlene Grant, you registered the love in the response. Perceptive you!

Yes, every chance I get, I like to invite folks to learn about the distinction between PROCESS and CONTENT. I'm glad that stood out for you here. :)

Rose, thank you for all this delicious detail about your poetry and your process in writing poetry. And Julie, thanks for asking this question. I love that you asked "what makes a poem a poem?" And, I love your response so much, Rose. I have loved reading your poems in every single book I've read of yours. Each one has moved me so deeply. Your poetry has that effect, just like the most truthful, beautiful piece of music. Your poetry for me is able to express the ineffable. Thank you for the inspiration, Rose- both in your poems and in this "behind the scenes" answer on Goodreads.

You've just made my day, Lauren. Thank you so much.

So many beautiful points Rose! This was one of my favorites:
For this author, whenever I bring a new book into the world, after it’s first drafted (at a minimum), I always ask God to bless that book by giving me a poem to include at that start.

Awe, Valerie, I'm glad you liked that. :)

I really enjoyed reading this description about your process of writing a poem. Your love of God comes through loud and clear ( actually, softly and sweetly) maybe that is why I love them so much even though I am not usually a poetry reader. My favorite is your poem "The Mountain". (Day 36 in "Let Today be a Holiday").

Oh Sally, thank you so much. "The Mountain". Awe!!!!!!!!!